I am an experienced analyst, transitional justice and peace mediation researcher, practitioner and writer. I also advise organisations on advocacy, outreach strategy and organisational development, mainly in the peacebuilding/ transitional justice sector and often in complex security environments.
I have a strong background in political economy and gender analysis, drawing on original research and reaching beyond the usual circles to include marginalised voices to generate relevant and actionable recommendations for clients. I design and set up processes for development programmes to integrate high quality gender and political economy analysis across all areas of work from programme design and management to product.
I combine extensive field experience including in volatile security situations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (especially in DR Congo) and the Middle East, with rigorous academic research and a proven track record in policy advocacy. I have researched and written numerous papers and publications – some of the public ones are available here – on mediation, peacebuilding, security sector reform, and transitional justice. Women’s rights, and particularly women’s participation in economic and political life, as well as in peace and transitional justice processes, are particular interests.
I have provided technical expertise on transitional justice to confidential processes, and the National Dialogue Conference in Yemen (2013). In 2012, I worked with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Legal Team on the Amnesty Law in Madagascar as part of SADC’s mediation of that crisis.
I am a part-time Senior Associate for Gender, Peace and Security at the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO).
I combine consultancy with academic research. I have a PhD in Political Science from the University of Ghent, Belgium, where I am a postdoctoral research associate, and I am currently a Visiting Scholar at the Transitional Justice Institute, University of Ulster.
I taught ‘Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Programming’ to postgraduates at the Brussels School of International Studies (University of Kent), where I was a visiting lecturer (2012-2013). I regularly act as a resource person or trainer on peace and justice issues.
I have also provided expert services to:
- The Department for International Development, UK (DFID) in Kinshasa
- The Department for International Development, UK (DFID) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
- PwCS
- Adam Smith International
- European Peacebuilding Liaison Office
- HD Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
- Conciliation Resources
- European Council on Foreign Relations
- Swedish Embassy in Kinshasa
- International Alert
- International Center for Transitional Justice
- giz – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH
- PeaceNexus Foundation
- Life and Peace Institute
- Finn Church Aid / Kirkon Ulkomaanapu
- Mediateur: the European Forum for International Mediation and Dialogue
- Partners for Democratic Change International/Partners for Democratic Change
- Saferworld
Before becoming a consultant, I worked for the Belgian Development Agency as a justice and governance expert. Prior to that, I was at the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) in Kinshasa (DRC) and in Brussels, and Search for Common Ground. I have co-chaired the Human Rights and Democracy Network of NGOs in Brussels, and served on the Steering Committee of the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office.
I work in English and French.
In 2014, I established my own consulting firm, Laura Davis Consulting Ltd, registered in Belgium (company and VAT registration number BE 0560665938).